Quick Links to Articles in this Issue

President's Message
Save the Date
Membership
Voter Services
Advocacy
LWVAZ News
LWVUS News

Democracy Needs Us Now

As we move into election season, this is the time for League members to step up.

Democracy depends on informed and engaged voters, and the League's work to provide trusted, nonpartisan information is more important than ever. Across Metropolitan Phoenix, we have opportunities to register voters, provide election information, engage young voters, reach new communities, and help ensure that Arizona voters have the resources they need to participate.

But this work only happens when members get involved.

This month, I am asking every LWV Metropolitan Phoenix member to take at least one concrete action:

• Sign up for a Voter Services event and help reach voters directly.

• Identify a community partner or location where you are willing to distribute the 2026 Ballot Propositions Voter Education Booklet.

• Share trusted, nonpartisan election information with your friends, family, and community.

• Bring another person into the work by inviting a friend or family member to join the League and volunteer alongside you.

You do not have to do everything. But this is a time when every one of us can do something.

Volunteer for one event. Identify one distribution location. Help one voter find reliable information. Bring one more person into the League's work.

Those actions add up. And together, they are how we defend and strengthen our democracy—one voter, one conversation, and one community at a time.

Please take a moment to review the opportunities in this newsletter and choose where you can help. Then sign up and get involved.

Democracy is not a spectator sport. The threats to voting and our democratic institutions are real—this is the time for every one of us to show up, speak up, and get involved.

In League service,

Kara Pelletier

President

Save the Date

Note that some of the events are for members only, requiring login.


Event Calendar

Join LWV Metropolitan Phoenix for Suffs Community Night!

The vote was not given, it was won. These are the women who made it happen.

The League of Women Voters Metropolitan Phoenix is excited to participate as a Community Night partner for the October 25 performance of the Tony Award-winning musical Suffs at The Phoenix Theatre Company.

Suffs tells the electrifying true story of the women who fought for their right to vote. From suffragist icons like Susan B. Anthony and Sojourner Truth to the young activists who carried the movement forward, Suffs brings one of history's most important battles to life through a bold, contemporary score.

The story and themes of Suffs have a natural connection to the League's mission and our work to empower voters and encourage civic engagement. LWV Metropolitan Phoenix will have a presence at the theatre during Community Night, sharing information about the League and providing nonpartisan voter education and civic engagement resources.

Special Community Night Offer for League Members

Sunday, October 25, 2026
7:00 PM Performance

Pay What You Can Pricing — minimum $1!

League members and their households may reserve up to six tickets per household using the special LWVMP promotion.

Use Promo Code: LWVOTE

Tickets may also be reserved using the special booking link:

https://tickets.phoenixtheatre.com/18469/18543?premove=Y&promo=LWVOTE

There is no deadline for the promo code; however, it is valid only for the October 25 performance. Ticket inventory may go quickly, so we encourage members to reserve their tickets early.

Where

The Phoenix Theatre Company
1825 N. Central Ave
Phoenix, AZ 85004

(602) 254-2151
www.phoenixtheatre.com

We hope you will join fellow League members for this special evening. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience this powerful production together, connect with other members, and celebrate the history of the women's suffrage movement and the continuing importance of civic participation.

We look forward to seeing you at Suffs!

LWVMP Community Teams

Engaging with Community Teams

Community teams are organized into three broad geographic areas: Phoenix, Northeast Valley (Scottsdale and surrounding areas), and Southeast Valley (Tempe, Gilbert, Chandler, etc), providing convenient opportunities for members to socialize and advocate on local issues. Please look at the calendar to see when and where the community teams are meeting this month!

This month we would like to recognize our dedicated League members in the field, helping defend democracy by providing voter education and voter registration information at the recent Sounds of Suffrage event at Heritage and Science Park in downtown Phoenix!

A special shout out to our wonderful members Grace, Mary Beth, Jackie, and Dawn for showing up and helping members of our community get the information and resources they need to participate in our democracy.

This is what League action looks like—showing up, engaging our community, empowering voters, and making a difference.

Thank you, Grace, Mary Beth, Jackie, and Dawn! Let’s go, LWVMP!

Get Involved: Upcoming Voter Services Volunteer Opportunities

This election season, democracy needs all of us. Every voter who is registered, informed, and prepared to cast a ballot strengthens our democracy—and LWV Metropolitan Phoenix members are on the front lines of that work.

Join us as we bring nonpartisan voter registration, trusted election information, and civic education directly into communities across Metropolitan Phoenix. Whether you are helping a first-time voter get registered, answering questions about the voting process, or sharing reliable election information, your time and voice can help empower voters and defend democracy.

We hope you will join us! Our calendar of Voter Services opportunities will continue to grow throughout the election season, giving every member a chance to get involved, make a difference, and help ensure that voters are informed and ready to participate.

To sign up for an event, log into your member account at lwvmp.clubexpress.com and visit the Event page.

September 15

Voter Registration Day at Phoenix Indian Center

Come celebrate National Voter Registration Day at the Phoenix Indian Center. LWVMP will provide voter registration, election information, and voter education.

September 22–23

Tolleson Union High School District's Commitment Day

Volunteer at the LWVMP tabling booth at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. More than 4,000 graduating seniors and their parents are expected to attend, providing an excellent opportunity to engage young people and their families in civic participation.

October 11

Tabling at Phoenix Pride Festival

Join LWVMP in providing voter education, voter registration assistance, and nonpartisan election information to festival attendees.

October 13–14

PHX Future Fair Tabling

Volunteer at the LWVMP booth during the PHX Future Fair for Phoenix Union high school seniors at the Burton Barr Library and help engage the next generation of voters.

October 24

Día de los Muertos Festival

Join LWVMP for this community tabling event, providing voter registration assistance, election information, and voter education.

October 25

Suffs — Phoenix Theatre Company Community Night Partnership

LWVMP has been invited to participate as a Community Night partner for the performance of Suffs at The Phoenix Theatre Company. League volunteers will provide nonpartisan voter education and election information in the theatre foyer before and after the performance.

These are just the first of several opportunities planned for the coming months. Please watch the Event page for additional Voter Services opportunities and join us as we continue our important work of engaging and informing voters.

The MP Observer Corps needs you - all members are encouraged to join the Observer Corps. Join our vital team of volunteers who attend local government meetings. By acting as our eyes and ears, you'll help ensure transparency and accountability, reporting on decisions that shape our community. These nonpartisan reports empower everyone to make informed voting decisions.
Just a few hours a month can make a huge difference. No experience is needed; we provide training, and it's a fantastic way to learn about issues directly affecting you.
Ready to get involved? Email AdvocacyLWVMP@gmail.com to learn more and chat with an Observer Corps Team member!

Thank You for Making Democracy Work

We want to say thank you for your continued support of the League of Women Voters of Metro Phoenix. Your membership helps make democracy work at a time when protecting voting rights is more critical than ever.

Your dues directly support voter education, advocacy, and nonpartisan election protection efforts in our community. Because of you, the League remains a trusted voice fighting for fair elections and an inclusive democracy.

Help Us Grow the Movement

Local action is where real change happens, and we invite you to help us grow our impact by encouraging your networks, family, and friends to join LWVMP. Membership starts at just $20 per year, making it easy for anyone who believes in voting rights and civic engagement to get involved.

To learn more about the League and help spread the word, you can share this resource:
👉 Learn more about the League here

Get Involved: Membership Committee

Want to be part of this critical work? The Membership Committee plays a vital role in retaining and expanding our membership. Without our members, our work simply could not happen. If you’re interested in helping build the League’s future or want to learn more, please email membershiplwvmp@gmail.com.

Thank you for standing with us and helping strengthen democracy — together, we make change happen.

Save the Dates: Hear Directly from Arizona’s Statewide Candidates

This October, the League of Women Voters of Arizona is creating several opportunities for voters across the state to hear directly from candidates seeking important statewide offices. Mark your calendars now and plan to join us—either in person or online.

Mark Your Calendars and Join Us

Candidate participation and additional event details are still being finalized, and we will continue to share updates as they become available. For now, save the dates, invite your friends and neighbors, and plan to join us. Attend the October 10 Voter Forum in person if you can, join a local League watch party or watch the statewide livestream, and then return online for our three virtual candidate debates. 
Together, these programs will give Arizona voters multiple opportunities to hear directly from candidates seeking statewide office and to become better informed before casting their ballots.

The League of Women Voters is nonpartisan and neither supports nor opposes candidates or political parties.

October 10 — Statewide Voter Forum — Candidate Panel Discussions

On Saturday, October 10, LWVAZ will host an in-person 2026 Arizona Statewide Voter Forum — Candidate Panel Discussions in the Phoenix metropolitan area. The entire program will also be livestreamed statewide, providing access to voters throughout Arizona.

This is not a traditional candidate debate. The Voter Forum uses a different format designed to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates about the responsibilities of the offices they seek, their qualifications and priorities, their plans and vision for Arizona, and how they would approach significant issues facing our state.

Candidates have been invited to participate in the following three Candidate Panel Discussions:

9:30–10:45 a.m. Republican Statewide Candidates Panel Discussion

• Governor/Lieutenant Governor: Andy Biggs & Sine Kerr

• Attorney General: Warren Petersen

• Secretary of State: Alexander Kolodin

11:15 a.m.–12:30 p.m. Democratic Statewide Candidates Panel Discussion

• Governor/Lieutenant Governor: Katie Hobbs & John Giles

• Attorney General: Kris Mayes

• Secretary of State: Adrian Fontes

1:00–2:15 p.m. Other Qualifying Statewide Candidates Panel Discussion

• Governor/Lieutenant Governor: Risa Lombardo & Lisa Castillo — Green Party

• Governor/Lieutenant Governor: Teri Hourihan & Lisa Castillo — No Labels Party

• Secretary of State: Duwayne Collier — Green Party

All candidates listed above have been invited to participate. We are still awaiting some candidate confirmations and will announce confirmed participation as that information becomes available.

We especially encourage League members to attend the October 10 Voter Forum in person. Seating will be limited, and advance registration will be required, so please watch for registration information and register promptly once it becomes available.

For those unable to attend in person, the Voter Forum will be livestreamed statewide. Local Leagues are also planning community watch parties, creating additional opportunities for members, partners, and voters to experience the program together.

Additional information about the venue, registration, confirmed candidates, livestream access, and local League watch parties will be announced shortly.

2026 Arizona Statewide Candidate Debates — Join Us Online

Following the October 10 Voter Forum, LWVAZ will host a series of virtual candidate debates for additional statewide offices.

These events use a different format from the October 10 Voter Forum. The October 10 programs are Voter Forum — Candidate Panel Discussions; the following virtual programs are actual candidate debates conducted in an online setting.

Wednesday, October 14 | 6:00–7:30 p.m.

Superintendent of Public Instruction Candidate Debate

Candidates invited to participate:

• Kimberly Yee  (Republican) & Teresa Ruiz (Democratic)

Registration Link 

Saturday, October 17 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.

State Treasurer Candidate Debate

Candidates invited to participate:

• Elijah Norton (Republican) & Nick Mansour (Democratic)

Registration Link

Sunday, October 18 | 2:00–3:30 p.m.

Arizona Corporation Commission Candidate Debate

Candidates invited to participate:

• Clara Pratte — Democratic

• Jonathan Hill — Democratic

• Kevin Thompson — Republican

• Ralph Heap — Republican

• Mike Cease — Green Party

Registration Link 

These virtual debates will give voters from every part of Arizona an opportunity to hear directly from candidates without having to travel. Advance webinar registration will be required, and registered participants will receive information about how to join online.

Help Us Distribute the 2026 Ballot Propositions Voter Education Booklet

LWV Arizona created the 2026 Ballot Propositions Voter Education Booklet, a nonpartisan resource that helps Arizona voters understand the propositions on the November ballot.

The booklet provides information in English and Spanish, and 20,000 copies have been printed for distribution statewide. More detailed information will be available digitally through VOTE411 beginning October 7.

We Need Your Help!

LWV Metropolitan Phoenix is looking for members who can help identify locations and deliver booklets within their communities and networks. Think about places where you already have a connection and would be willing to help distribute copies.

Potential locations include:

• Community centers and libraries

• Colleges and universities

• Senior living communities

• Faith communities

• Neighborhood and community organizations

• Civic and voter-engagement partners

• Other organizations and gathering places that serve Arizona voters

Ready to help? Email lwvazadvocacy@gmail.com with the locations you suggest and whether you can help deliver booklets there.

With 20,000 booklets to distribute statewide, we have a great opportunity to put trusted, nonpartisan voter information directly into Arizona voters' hands.

Invest in Democracy: Support the League

At the League of Women Voters, we know democracy doesn’t defend itself—it takes people, passion, and resources. Every voter registration table, candidate forum, youth program, and advocacy effort is powered by members and supporters like you.
This year, LWV Metro Phoenix is expanding our reach like never before. We’re mentoring the next generation through the new Ambassador Corps, engaging thousands of students at community events, and showing up in force for National Voter Registration Day and National Voter Education Week. These efforts matter—and they depend on your support.
When you give to the League, you’re making a direct investment in protecting voting rights, empowering young leaders, and ensuring every voice is heard at the ballot box.
Here’s how you can help today:
Make a one-time or monthly donation online.
Ask your employer about matching gifts.
Honor a friend or loved one with a gift in their name.
Together, we can keep democracy strong in Metro Phoenix and beyond. Thank you for standing with us.
Kara Pelletier, President
LWV Metro Phoenix
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